Episcopal Church of St. Simon the Cyrenian - Music Extravaganza

Episcopal Church of St. Simon the Cyrenian on Sunday June 10, 2007 at 4:00-8:00 pm at 135 Remmington Avenue Rochelle, NY 10801, will be having a Musical Extravaganza featuring One of Jamaica’s Raising stars, Marlon Anderson, gifted recording Artist, and selected best male vocalist at the annual Caribbean Gospel Award in New York 2002, From New Rochelle Lawrence Watkins/Ecstaistic, well known artist since 1964, from Brooklyn, NY Denzil Botus Steepan Ensemble.

From Uganda Pastor George Okudi Best African Male Artist. Pastor George Okudi was born on 7th April, 1968, in Wera Village, Soroti District in Eastern Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. A world known Gospel Musician who has won many music awards both on Gospel and secular charts including, PAM Awards, Africa's Kora(like American GRAMMY) awards where he won both the Best male artist East Africa and BEST MALE ARTIST OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, he was also nominated for Life time achievement award for the continent of Africa, The parliament of Uganda observed a moment of silence in honor of this achievement pastor Okudi is an anointed Pastor with a celebrity status in Africa. He uses this to win crowds to Jesus Christ.

Though born into a musical family, he grew up in a nomadic lifestyle as a cattle herd’s boy. Okudi attributes his appreciation and collaboration of music to inspiration from birds and nature, which he spent a lot of time listening to as he tended the animals in the jungle fields.

He lost his father very early in his childhood. As an orphan, his mother found a lot of difficulty seeing him through school and had to hire him out to sing at social functions to raise a livelihood for even his siblings.

Through all that kind of hardship, Okudi managed to go to high school. During his school life, he met the Lord as his personal savior in 1984.

Hearing about the hype in Kampala, in 1991 he decided to try out the city. Without transport he had to get a lift in a boot of a car.

With his music talent, Okudi was able to fast integrate himself into the city life, making many friends. One Christian friend taught him to play the Guitar, which he used when he sang in many Christian gatherings, establishing himself in the Gospel Circles.

He later established a church in the suburbs of Kampala after knowing that was the directions the Lord was leading him.

As he sang in the Christian gatherings, a good Samaritan spotted his talent and sponsored him on a one year Music Production course in London, UK. He demonstrated his love for Africa when he refused an offer to stay in the UK after his course. He returned to his roots in 1997 with his own home studio which he has efficiently used to make recordings that have swept the whole of Africa and probably the whole world.

In 2001, Okudi proved his prowess when he won the first Christian Awards in Uganda organized by Impact FM, a Christian radio.

In 2003, Uganda organized his first national awards, The Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards where he won the Best Gospel Artist title and also his mega hit "Wipolo" was the best Gospel single.The same year, he was crowned the Best East African Male Artist and The Best African Male Artist by the KORA Awards, the prestigious African Grammies.

Okudi music is now celebrated the world over. His music has crossed from Gospel and now sells as mainstream because of the irresistible beat that uses the advantage of modern technology to bring out the originality of traditional African sounds.
Through the talent God has given to him he is reaching everywhere and God is expanding his territories not only to Uganda, East Africa or Africa but to the whole world.

What makes the difference is that it is not just entertainment, though many are entertained by it. It is spreading the gospel through music and talent. He has to his credit many album titles, including Things are Already Better, I have Found a Miracle, Go to the Nations, Halleluya Africa, Good Plans, Praise Express 1 and Praise Express 2. Come and see Okudi in person, at Episcopal Church of St. Simon the Cyrenian on Sunday June 10, 2007, donation early bird -(advance) US $35 and at the gate US$ 40, refresment included.